The Council on Accreditation provides accreditation standards on 38 services and 11 general management. The county agencies must be accredited under at least 1 service standard, and must be accredited under all 11 general management standards.

There are four steps in the Accreditation process:

• Application
  • The county agency submits a completed application form, including brochures, an addendum to assist in selecting service sections and descriptions of programs offered by the county agency.
  • COA determines eligibility for accreditation.
  • A financial agreement is forwarded to the organization.
  • COA assigns an Accreditation Coordinator who provides assistance and support throughout the process including determining service sections.
  • An Accreditation Agreement is developed that outlines the service sections applicable to the county agency.
  • COA establishes a timetable for the self-study document and for the onsite review.
  • COA sends the Standards and the Self Study Manual.
  • The county agency begins the self study process which leads to the completion of the self study document.
• Self Study Document
  • The self study is a written document that the county agency submits to COA at least twelve weeks prior to the site visit.
  • The function of the self study document is to provide a basis for the review team to evaluate the county agency's compliance with COA standards.
  • The development of the self study document is also an opportunity for the county agency to enhance their knowledge and awareness of their structure and provision of services.
  • COA will begin assigning a Peer Team with appropriate qualifications; the county agency can expect at least two reviewers for at least two days.
  • County agencies will be contacted by the Team Leader assigned to the team approximately 8-10 weeks before the site visit to set the schedule, including staff interviews.
• The Site Visit
  • Team members begin to determine compliance with the standards before the site visit.
  • Team Leader makes site visit arrangements with the county agency.
  • Team completes the site visit, a minimum of two persons for two full days.
  • County agencies will have both an entrance and an exit meeting.
  • The Review Team will: conduct interviews with staff and board members, review case records, review personnel records, review governing body minutes, visit various sites, conduct facility inspections.
  • Team submits its report to COA at the conclusion of the site visit.
  • COA sends a preliminary accreditation report to the county agency for a response.
• Accreditation Commission Decision
  • The Accreditation Commission is a volunteer accreditation decision-making body comprised of professionals nominated and selected by the COA Board of Trustees.
  • The preliminary accreditation report and the county agency response is sent to the Commission.
  • The Accreditation Commission reviews the report, changes any ratings, as appropriate, and makes a decision regarding the county agency accreditation.
  • The county agency is notified of the decision.
  • The COA Board is notified of the decision regarding accreditation.